Emerging Infectious Diseases March 2014 Newsletter

Flu activity is still elevated and likely to continue for weeks in the United States. If you have not gotten your flu vaccine yet this season, you should get one now. This season's vaccine protects against H1N1, the most common virus this season. And remember that flu antiviral drugs are a second line of defense to treat flu illness. People at high risk of serious flu illness should call a health care provider if they get flu symptoms.

What you need to know for the 2013-2014 Season

Webinar: Protecting People with Chronic Conditions from Influenza/Flu, February 2014, Streaming via YouTube [53 min 47 sec]

People with diabetes, asthma, heart disease, and a history of cancer are at increased risk of serious flu complications, including hospitalization and death. In this webinar briefing, CDC and partners American Diabetes Association, Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, American Heart Association, WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease, and American Cancer Society discuss the importance of flu vaccination for these high risk conditions.

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Cell - Serpins Promote Cancer Cell Survival and Vascular Co-Option in Brain Metastasis

Serpins Promote Cancer Cell Survival and Vascular Co-Option in Brain Metastasis

Cell, Volume 156, Issue 5, 1002-1016, 27 February 2014
Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
10.1016/j.cell.2014.01.040

Authors

Manuel Valiente,Anna C. Obenauf,Xin Jin,Qing Chen,Xiang H.-F. Zhang,Derek J. Lee,Jamie E. Chaft,Mark G. Kris,Jason T. Huse,Edi Brogi,Joan Massagué send email

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Highlights
Metastatic cells in the brain survive and grow attached to capillaries
Plasmin from the reactive stroma mobilizes FasL to repel brain-infiltrating cells
Plasmin additionally prevents vascular cooption by cleaving cancer cell L1CAM
Brain metastatic cells express Serpins to prevent Plasmin production

Summary

Brain metastasis is an ominous complication of cancer, yet most cancer cells that infiltrate the brain die of unknown causes. Here, we identify plasmin from the reactive brain stroma as a defense against metastatic invasion, and plasminogen activator (PA) inhibitory serpins in cancer cells as a shield against this defense. Plasmin suppresses brain metastasis in two ways: by converting membrane-bound astrocytic FasL into a paracrine death signal for cancer cells, and by inactivating the axon pathfinding molecule L1CAM, which metastatic cells express for spreading along brain capillaries and for metastatic outgrowth. Brain metastatic cells from lung cancer and breast cancer express high levels of anti-PA serpins, including neuroserpin and serpin B2, to prevent plasmin generation and its metastasis-suppressive effects. By protecting cancer cells from death signals and fostering vascular co-option, anti-PA serpins provide a unifying mechanism for the initiation of brain metastasis in lung and breast cancers.

AIDS.gov Blog Update

U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services sent this bulletin at 02/28/2014 12:10 PM EST

AIDS.gov Blog for U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services.

This information has recently been updated, and is now available.

President Obama Launches My Brother’s Keeper, His New Initiative to Help Young Men of Color

02/28/2014 11:00 AM EST

This afternoon, in the East Room of the White House, President Obama delivered remarks at the launch event for My Brother’s Keeper – his new initiative aimed at helping young men and boys of color facing tough odds reach their full potential. The initiative will bring together private philanthropies, businesses, governors, mayors, faith leaders, and nonprofit organizations...

NIAID Clinical Trials Update – Rare Diseases

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NIAID Clinical Trials Update – Rare Diseases

Rare Disease Day, February 28, is a time to reflect on the impact that rare diseases have on people and the importance of medical research to better understand and treat these diseases. There are approximately 7,000 rare diseases identified in the United States, most of which are genetic in origin.

The following are selected NIAID-sponsored clinical trials of rare immune diseases with links to full study titles, descriptions, and locations.

Studies of Autoimmune Lymphoproliferative Syndrome (ALPS)

Study of Autoimmune Lymphoproliferative Syndrome (ALPS) (NCT00001350) is a family-based natural history protocol allowing for patients and relatives of patients to be screened for ALPS and related disorders of apoptosis.
Fluorodeoxyglucose Imaging Studies to Detect Lymphoma (NCT01672918) sees how well imaging studies can distinguish between swollen lymph nodes caused by ALPS or by lymphoma.

Studies of Chronic Granulomatous Disease (CGD)

Non-Invasive Assessment of Atherosclerosis in Patients With CGD and Other Disorders of the Immune System (NCT01063309) studies the prevalence of atherosclerosis in patients with immune system disorders, compared to healthy people.
Radiofrequency Ablation for Liver Abscesses From Chronic Granulomatous Disease (NCT01851460)seeks to determine if a procedure called radiofrequency ablation is a safe and effective treatment for CGD-related liver abscesses.
Gene Therapy for Chronic Granulomatous Disease (NCT00394316) tests the effectiveness and safety of gene therapy, an experimental treatment designed to help increase the number of blood cells to fight infections in a more normal way.
Assessment of the Biochemical Response to Interferon-Gamma in Subjects With Specific Gene Mutation in Chronic Granulomatous Disease (NCT01147042) compares changes in the immune system caused by interferon-gamma treatment for CGD in people to different mutations that cause the disease.

Studies of Hyperimmunoglobulin E Syndrome (Job’s Syndrome)

Study of Clinical Features and Genetics of Hyperimmunoglobulin E Recurrent Infection (NCT00006150)evaluates patients with hyperimmunoglobulin E recurrent infection to characterize the medical problems associated with this rare inherited disease, identify and treat complications, and perform tests to identify the gene, or genes, responsible for it.
Study of Mycobacterial Infections (NCT00018044) compares the features of non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections to those of hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome to better characterize the predisposition to mycobacterial infection.

Studies of Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID)

Lentiviral Gene Transfer for Treatment of Children Older Than Two Years of Age With X-Linked Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (NCT01306019) seeks to determine the safety and effectiveness of lentiviral gene transfer as a treatment for children and adolescents with X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency.
Autologous Transplant of EFS-ADA Modified Bone Marrow Cells for ADA-Deficient Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (NCT01852071) will determine whether using a lentiviral vector will be more effective and safer at gene transfer to hematopoietic stem cells compared to previous gene transfer vectors.
Natural History Study of SCID Disorders (NCT01186913) is a prospective evaluation of children with severe combined immune deficiency (SCID) and related disorders who are treated under a variety of protocols at participating institutions to identify variables contributing to the best outcomes for hematopoietic cell transplantation.
Patients Treated for SCID (1968-2010) (NCT01346150) collects information on patients’ general health, psychological and developmental health, and the current status of their immune systems to help better define future approaches to primary immune deficiency treatments.

Studies of Rare Fungal Infections

Studies of Disorders With Increased Susceptibility to Fungal Infections (NCT01222741) collects blood and other biological samples to study immune disorders that make people more susceptible to fungal infections.
Natural History of Individuals With Immune System Problems That Lead to Fungal Infections(NCT01386437) investigates why some people are susceptible to invasive aspergillosis without underlying immune deficiency and why patients with autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED) syndrome develop mucocutaneous fungal infection.
Evaluation and Follow-up of Patients With Cryptococcosis (NCT00001352) is investigating why some people who are healthy become infected with cryptococcosis and how physicians can treat this disease more effectively.

Studies of Multiple or Other Rare Immune Diseases

A Study to Investigate Mepolizumab in the Treatment of Eosinophilic Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis (NCT02020889) investigates the effectiveness and safety of mepolizumab compared with placebo in people with relapsing or refractory Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (EGPA). Potential volunteers should contact the call center for study locations in the United States.
Evaluation of Patients With Immune Function Abnormalities (NCT00128973) evaluates patients with abnormal immune function that results in recurrent or unusual infections or chronic inflammation.
Genetic Studies of Chronic Active Epstein-Barr Disease (NCT00032513) seeks to identify genetic mutations responsible for chronic active Epstein-Barr disease and to learn more about the natural history of the disease.
Participation in a Research Registry for Immune Disorders (NCT01953016) collects data on people with primary immune deficiency disorders so that researchers can see if these disorders are increasing and to learn how the disorders are diagnosed and treated.
Detection and Characterization of Infections and Infection Susceptibility (NCT00404560) examines the causes of immune disorders affecting white blood cells and tries to develop better means of diagnosis and treatment of these conditions.
Natural History Study of GATA2 Deficiency and Related Disorders (NCT01905826) seeks to improve the understanding of GATA2 deficiency so there can be better diagnostic tests and treatments in the future.
Establishing Fibroblast-Derived Cell Lines From Skin Biopsies of Patients With Immunodeficiency or Immunodysregulation Disorders (NCT00895271) collects samples of skin cells to determine whether these cells can be modified to create a new kind of personalized gene therapy in the future.
Use of G-CSF to Obtain Blood Cell Precursors (NCT00001405) studies the techniques needed to develop gene therapy or other treatments for certain inherited immune system diseases.
Natural History of Diseases Associated With Allergic Inflammation: Atopic Dermatitis and Genetic and Congenital Diseases Associated With Atopic Pathways (NCT01164241) explores the genetic, immunologic, structural, and microbiologic abnormalities of these diseases.
Studies in the Pathogenesis of Systemic Capillary Leak Syndrome (SCLS, Clarkson syndrome)(NCT00936325) focuses on the pathogenesis of SCLS to identify biological factors and/or genetic and molecular events that may predispose to SCLS episodes.
Arikace for Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NCT01315236) evaluates the effectiveness, safety, and tolerability of the inhaled antibiotic Arikace in treating recalcitrant nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease.
Cross-sectional Characterization of Idiopathic Bronchiectasis (NCT01264055) looks for possible genetic links or risk factors for bronchiectasis.
Genetic Analysis of Immune Disorders (NCT00001467) studies the genetic defects of the immune system that cause failure of host defenses against infections or autoimmune diseases
Screening Protocol for Genetic Diseases of Lymphocyte Homeostasis and Programmed Cell Death(NCT00246857) determines the biochemical and genetic causes of inherited immune diseases affecting lymphocyte homeostasis.
Reducing the Side Effects of Standard Treatment of Loa Loa Infection (NCT01111305) evaluates how effective reslizumab is in reducing the side effects of the standard drug therapy used to treat Loa loa infection.
Rituximab for Treatment of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (SSc-PAH)(NCT01086540) evaluates the effect of rituximab on clinical disease progression in patients with SSc-PAH when compared to placebo.
Screening Protocol for Genetic Diseases of Mast Cell Homeostasis and Activation (NCT00852943)screens mast cells at the genetic and functional levels to characterize abnormalities, identify mutations, detect carrier states, and/or develop therapies.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Blog: Public Health Matters Update

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) sent this bulletin at 02/28/2014 01:06 PM EST

Public Health Matters for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This information has recently been updated, and is now available.

The Key to Community Preparedness: Pharmacists

Our Preparedness and Response Research Centers are producing findings that help improve public health practice, planning, and policies for possible emergencies. Find out what the latest research from Emory University says about who you should include in your community response plans.http://go.usa.gov/K3V9

Simple changes to food labels can make a big difference

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration yesterday proposed to update the Nutrition Facts label for packaged foods to reflect the latest scientific information, including the link between diet and chronic diseases such as obesity and heart disease.

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FDA Proposes Updates to Nutrition Facts Label.

The proposed label also would replace out-of-date serving sizes to better align with how much people really eat, and it would feature a fresh design to highlight key parts of the label such as calories and serving sizes.
Read more about the announcement by clicking here.

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